Fittler lifts spirits in drought as Hogs ride into Coonamble I Video

Freddie Fittler, Blues coach and Origin hero, out on the wide open road heading to Coonamble to hold a special rugby league clinic for kids off farms and in town coping with the drought. Photo courtesy of NSWRL.

It was part of a “Hogs For The Farmers” tour with a donation of $66,000 from the NSW Rugby League and the Blues partners included for drought support.

Fittler rode his Harley-Davidson motorcycle from Sydney’s Northern Beaches Harley to Tamworth and Coonamble, hosting a coaching clinic and a community barbecue.

The NSWRL and Blues partners - Brydens Lawyers, The Star, nib, Lion and Canterbury - joined forces to back the extension of Fittler’s “Hogs For The Homeless” concept as well as making a donation to the Channel 9 Today Show Drought Relief Appeal.

The following video is courtesy of Coonamble Times’, editor Lee O’Connor and 17-year-old daughter Angie. (what a great job Angie has done!)

Fittler said: “It is heartbreaking to see what is happening in these rural areas so we are hoping our visit can help in some small way to provide relief to the farmers and their families by bringing smiles to their faces, as well as providing much-needed funds.

“I am really grateful to all of the partners of the Blues for coming on this very special journey with us. I know some of them are already doing great things to help this very worthy cause so their additional support of the Drought Relief Appeal and our Hogs tour means a lot.”

In addition to their support of “Hogs For The Farmers” and the Channel Nine Today Show Drought Relief Appeal, Blues partners are also assisting the drought-stricken rural community through a variety of initiatives including Lion’s Iron Jack “Beers for the Bush” campaign and nib’s free health insurance offer for farmers.